DAY 122: Motivation

I’m finding it difficult to focus at work.  The summer sun, beaming through my office window, seduces my emotions; I’m seriously considering an afternoon at the beach, sipping a refreshing glass of Frappe as I marvel at the magnificent Mediterranean sunset. 

But, reality keeps knocking on my door, and the twinkling sound emerging from my computer serves as a reminder that another humdrum meeting is about to start. I feel I have exhausted this monotonous work routine, as I find myself pleading to the Almighty for divine intervention.  Last night’s episode of “How the Lottery changed my life” is relentlessly teasing me – an image of a children’s playground enters my mind as I picture myself brutally forced into a corner by a group of egotistical bullies.

As we enter the third month since the infamous Cyprus Bailout, I find myself sitting behind my desk, arms crossed, and without any explanation on the reduction of our salaries; one can’t help but wonder if higher management attended any human resources seminar on “How to communicate and motivate staff under dire economic conditions.” 

This unexpected muteness does nothing to encourage the workforce, and the level of productivity finds itself tagging behind like a bored child in a supermarket.

I’m even considering a drastic exit – similar to Shirley Valentine’s epic departure from her dismal life in England, to a private beach where life’s problems are barred from entry.  Shirley’s quest to “fall in love with life” is perhaps something we are all lacking at the moment.  Amidst the hustle and bustle of this bamboozling world, we have lost the meaning of living life to the full, and even forgetting to laugh along the way.

After an episode of self-pity, I resorted to watching Susan Boyle’s first audition on Britain’s Got Talent.  Boyle’s audition has always served as an inspiration to those aspiring few who believe in miracles.  Admittedly, I am one of them.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,

visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 121: Popcorn

Popcorn is a great option when watching one's weight. When dieting, it's hard to figure out whether the foods you're consuming are good choices. There are a countless options in the grocery store; labels declaring "light food,” “low-calorie,” “low-fat food,” “natural food,” “non-fat” and “organic.”

Beyond that, are we getting enough fibre and roughage? It may seem as if iceberg lettuce and carrot sticks are our eternal courses, but sneaking in a snack of popcorn is not considered a “cheat.”

Popcorn is a whole-grain food, which makes it a great source of fibre. Unbuttered popcorn measures approximately fifty calories per cup. One can eat popcorn guilt-free with those statistics. In addition, popcorn works fast to curb one’s hunger between meals. Instead of starvation and fasting, popcorn is a great, easy snack one can consume large quantities of without the fear of a terrible scale reading the following morning.

Unbuttered popcorn is a good staple for a low-calorie diet, but when you want to spice it up a little, there are many things you can do to make popcorn an even tastier snack. Cinnamon, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and onion salt, peanuts, raisins and trail mix are all options to make the snack a little sweeter or savoury, depending on your taste buds.

Popcorn contains carbohydrates and fat (from the oil used to pop it, if you are doing it the old-fashioned way), but they are good carbohydrates and fats to have. Carbohydrates are bad when they come from highly processed, high-calorie and empty-calorie foods such as white bread, white processed flour, or any sugary snack favourite located in the cookie aisle.

Light food? Absolutely, and it also meets the criteria of being low-calorie, low-fat, natural and containing fibre. If you go easy on the butter or skip it altogether, popcorn is a hot, low-restriction winner for a successful dieting regimen.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 120: Siesta

The Siesta has existed for thousands of years and was previously regarded as a physical necessity rather than a luxury. While the traditional Mediterranean style siesta can last for up to two hours to avoid the hottest part of the day, there is actually a biological need for people in all climates to have a short rest in the afternoon to revive energy levels.  The form of rest recommended for health and productivity benefits is a short 10-20 minute nap, and not the 2 hour long siesta normally associated with all Mediterranean countries, as enjoyable as that may be.

Research shows that the majority of people suffer from tiredness twice in every 24 hour period. We are what's called Bi-phasic; we need two periods of sleep; a long one at night and a shorter one during the day. The early afternoon brings a drop in energy levels, not as severe as night time, but sufficient to make it difficult to concentrate and think clearly.

By having a short nap we can help ourselves think more clearly, be more productive, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Tiredness can also be a cause of accidents. A short 10-20 minute nap is all that is needed to restore our concentration, alertness and improve productivity for the afternoon.

The siesta rest has origins in Islamic Law and is written about in the Koran.  However the word siesta is Spanish, originating from the Latin "Hora Sexto" meaning "the sixth hour" (six hours from dawn is noon). Siesta means "midday rest.” Although Spain is often considered as having invented the 'siesta' it's origins go back much further in history within Islam.

Romans had a regular siesta; it was considered to be a physical necessity rather than a luxury, but it is unlikely that they had a health policy that included this, as was the case in Islam.

The Spanish have become known for their liking for a long two-hour siesta, but this was introduced centuries ago to allow their farmers to rest during the hottest part of the day. Consequently they work longer into the evening. Traditionally in Spain the siesta can last up to two hours or more. Firstly there will be a good lunch with friends or family, and then they will rest. Although tradition would have them go to bed in pyjamas, these days any sofa, bed or chair or shade will suffice and they may have a short nap as part of the overall siesta. However, not all will have a sleep and the Spanish siesta is more about taking a break away from the heat of midday sun.

Today, with modern equipment and most people working in air-conditioned offices, there is not the same need for a long siesta, so the Spanish are now trying to make less of it and adopt a working day schedule more in keeping with northern Europe. However, this does not mean that they do not need a short rest. The biological need for rest in the early afternoon applies to all people on all continents.

Humans are mammals just as any cat, lion, cheetah, horse or dog and we are all bi-phasic; we need more than one session of sleep within a twenty-four-hour period. All other mammals nap, yet many humans, particularly in the British and US cultures try to struggle through the natural tiredness that occurs about 8 hours after waking in the morning.  By having just a 10-20 minute nap as part of our lunch break we can restore our energy levels for the afternoon and be far more productive and alert.  The two-hour siesta is no longer seen as necessary, but a 10-15 minute nap can do wonders for us all.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,

visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 119: Calories and Mathematics

I am certain that most of you will recall moments of boredom, staring obliviously into space while the Mathematics teacher went on about proving an irrelevant theorem. 

And, no matter how passionate the teachers seemed as they scuffled from one side of the blackboard to the other – solving another of the many equations from your stuffy textbook, the mind would often console your disinterest, reassuring that one would never require any future-use of this trivial subject.

But, alas, the weekend saw me in front of the computer, arguing with an online calorie counter.  As I tallied up my meals on the calculator, I realised that my sudden weight increase was largely due to an oversight of calories, invading my monstrous body. 

Having ignorantly increased my recommended daily allowance to an offensive score, it was time for a reality check as I lost myself in an article explaining the relevance of ‘calculating’ your meals.  My BMI (Body Mass Index) screamed “morbidly obese” on the scale, encouraging the online nutritionist to contact me for some overall advice.

It suddenly dawned on me that ‘eating’, my favourite pastime, had become a complicated mathematical equation – one I needed to resolve immediately.  If only I had paid more attention in Mathematics class.

After a three-hour session, and a crash course on “sensible eating,” my online web therapist formulated a healthy eating programme – “guaranteed to offer instant results.”  Armed with a calculator on-hand, I embarked on a ten-day challenge to re-address my stance against calories, and mathematics.  According to the nutritionist, a ten-day detox will “reset the clock,” and steer me in the right direction for a long-term, healthy eating plan.

So, it’s back to the drawing board with a reduced one thousand calories-per-day allowance, high protein, low carbohydrate eating plan; with any luck, I should be able to fit into my swimming trunks before resorting to Plan B: a visit to the tailors, and enough cotton to loosen those shorts at the seam.  Wish me Luck.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,

visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 118: Fifteen Minutes

It is a phenomenon today that almost everyone in a first world environment can potentially be famous. From internet applications like MySpace and YouTube, Facebook and a myriad of other social networking sites and applications, people can put themselves in their own spotlight for almost anyone to have a look at.

Then there is the almost unbelievable obsession with reality shows. Watching ordinary people and washed-up, has-been celebrities living together in a house, actively participating in their obsessive search for fame. Was this what Andy Warhol, Pop Art genius and guru was talking about when he famously stated that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes?”

As an artist, there is no denying that Warhol revolutionised the previously rather stuffy canvas of creativity and production. Here was a man who was born the son of a working class Czech immigrant, who grew up without a father from the age of thirteen because he died in an accident and instead of turning into a dependable, stoic man as is perhaps what usually happens when disaster strikes, Warhol turned to the world of commercial art. He was openly obsessed with making money, (he famously said “Making money is art and working is art and the good business is the best art”) and perhaps most famously took the mystique out of the previous upper-class domain of art.

Artistically, Warhol studied commercial art at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh and after graduating in 1949, went to New York where he worked as a magazine illustrator for big names like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and very soon established himself as one of the city’s most sought after commercial illustrators. It was in the 1960’s however that he started his glorification of mass-produced items like Coca Cola and Campbell Soup Cans, going on to produce his iconic silk-screens of contemporary legends like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.

According to critics, it was Warhol’s ability and his vital talent to remove the difference between fine arts and the commercial art world, using media like magazine illustrations, comic books, record albums and advertising campaigns that best defined his contribution; and also established Pop Art, the genre best associated with him and his followers.

It would perhaps be easy to forget just how influential Andy Warhol really was in his time; commercially he was a huge success as people clamoured to get a piece of his creative pie – in fact the latest amount one of his Marilyn pictures fetched at auction was for a record seventeen million dollars.

We should never forget however that it is not only the world of art, but the business and commercial impact and influence that Andy Warhol had on an otherwise rather intellectual environment that marks his greatest success. If a man who said that “when you think about it, department stores are kind of like museums,” who took art down to everyday life, could best be described today, would it be appropriate to think that he has extended his own fifteen minutes and given it substance and longevity?

Quite unlike the media and attention-hungry people who demand our attention today without really adding anything of value.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 117: Everybody Say “Opa!”

I would like to share the following post, written by Alex Pattakos, co-founder of the OPA! Center for Meaning, Santa Fe, N.M.

Perhaps it is a "sign of the times," but more and more people have been telling us that they feel stressed, disengaged, disconnected, unfulfilled, fearful, and overwhelmed with too much to do. Sadly, in increasing numbers they've revealed to us that they want to feel inspired, and that they want their lives and work to really matter. Much like Sisyphus, the Greek hero who was ordered by the gods to push a big rock uphill only to see it slip out of his hands at the last moment, living the "good life," a philosophical term originally associated with Aristotle, for many people has become an endless – and joyless – undertaking.

The notion of the "good life" can be viewed as the human quest for meaning, a formidable challenge that involves both making a living and making a life that really matters, that has significance. To be sure, this seems to be easier said than done in light of the overwhelming evidence that points to the opposite: More people than ever before, in spite of obvious advances in our way and quality of life, appear to be experiencing some kind of existential angst or are lost in an empty space that the world-renown psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, described as an "existential vacuum."

In short, the outer trappings of today's societal affluence and influence are deceptive at best and hazardous to our health at worst. Power, influence, and money, in and of themselves, do not equate with authentic meaning as Dr. Frankl first warned us and as we since have espoused in our book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts. The toxic fallout and collateral damage that come from people not finding meaning in their lives, including in their work lives, can be and usually are significant: decreases in engagement and resilience, suffering in health and well-being, and stifling of performance and innovation.

Now imagine if we had more meaning in our lives! Again, to quote our mentor, Viktor Frankl, "Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a 'secondary rationalization' of instinctual drives." [Emphasis added] But Dr. Frankl was not the first great thinker to make such a claim about the search for meaning being the primary, intrinsic motivation of human beings. Let's not forget the ancient Greek philosophers, like Aristotle, who talked about the human quest for meaning and living the "good life." Indeed, thousands of years ago, Aristotle's mentor, Plato, who himself was a friend of Socrates, made the following observation about human motivation: "Man, a being in search of meaning."

Importantly, the ageless wisdom of the ancient Greeks has carried forward to the present day. Throughout our travels to Greece we've observed and interacted with many Greeks – in all stages and walks of life – who have been able to find meaning in the midst of and despite the "crisis" that had befallen their beloved country. We wanted to know about their secrets for finding meaning and remaining resilient during such especially tough times! And we really wanted to learn from the Greeks of today, a proud people who had become accustomed to being scrutinized in a negative light under the world microscope so that we could share their own brand of ageless wisdom for living and working with meaning with the rest of the world!

What we found was an easy to understand and remember concept that has deep roots in Greek antiquity and that can be meaningfully transformed into a "mantra for living" for the 21st century. Throughout Greece, we heard the word "OPA!" – a common Greek word that we discovered has ancient roots dating back thousands of years ago to the writings of Homer (Greek: Ὅμηρος), revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet and author of the classic works of literature, the Illiad and the Odyssey.

"OPA!" is a Greek word that is heard often in the celebration of life. Most likely, you've heard the word at a restaurant (Greek or not) when someone broke a plate – on purpose or unintentionally. Or you've heard the word at a wedding or Greek festival when people are dancing. Or, perhaps you've watched a Greek-themed movie during which the word is used in some kind of enthusiastic celebration. You may have even been to Greece and heard the word at various times during your visit.

"OPA!" is a very interesting word, one that as we've mentioned has a very long history. Indeed, it is much more than simply a word, per se. It also is a word that carries with it deep and profound meaning. Meaning that can help all of us as we travel along life's highway. So now we'd like to briefly introduce this underlying meaning of the Greek word "OPA!" and put it into a practical context so that you can use it for your own benefit – to build resilience, foster engagement, manage life transitions, enjoy life to the fullest – in your personal life and in your work.

From its ancient roots, the Greek word "OPA!" can be viewed as two sides of the same coin: One side (ΌΠΑ) refers to the uplifting, inspiring, enthusiastic expression that is often heard during some kind of celebration (a manifestation of "kefi" or spirit). The other (ΏΠΑ) refers very seriously to the human need to remain alert, warn ourselves and others, look out for any possible "danger" in one's path, and be more awake to life's potential, unlimited opportunities. Like the holistic concept of the yin and yang in Chinese philosophy, both sides of the Greek concept of OPA! are interdependent and are needed to achieve our highest potential.

We've built upon the ancient roots of this powerful, meaning-focused concept, along with our intimate and broad-based experience in Greece both before and during the country's crisis, and formed an acronym using the anglicized letters of the Greek word "OPA!" This acronym, as we mentioned above, provides a useful "mantra" for living and working with meaning for everyone. In brief, the letter "O" refers to the basic human need to "connect meaningfully with others." The letter "P" refers to the basic human need to "engage with deeper purpose." And the letter "A" refers to the basic human need to "embrace life (all of life) with attitude."

Imagine if we really could live the "good" life, the happy, healthy, meaningful life. At the count of three, we'd like you, wherever you may be when you read this post, to say, with enthusiasm: "OPA!"

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 116: Bucket List

Skydiving and swimming with dolphins are just two popular items on the lists of things people want to do before it's too late. But are they facing up to death – or merely in denial?

In 1940, when John Goddard was 15, he made a list of everything he wanted to achieve. There were 127 goals in all, which included: visit every country in the world; explore the Great Barrier Reef; watch a cremation ceremony in Bali; milk a poisonous snake; and visit the Moon. Some goals were bundled together. Number 113, for example, reads: "Become proficient in the use of a plane, motorcycle, tractor, surfboard, rifle, pistol, canoe, microscope, football, basketball, bow and arrow, lariat and boomerang." There is a tick beside this one, marking it as done, as there is beside 109 of those original goals. And in the years since, he has set himself hundreds more, writing them down as a form of commitment.

Goddard's "Life List", which featured in the Chicken Soup for the Soul self-help franchise, is one of the inspirations cited by people who have created what are now more usually called bucket lists. The phrase derives from "kick the bucket," a term for death, with unclear origins, but which quite likely relates to the bucket kicked away at a hanging. It was popularised by the 2007 film The Bucket List, in which characters played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in a cancer ward, then race around the world, packing in experiences. As in that story, some people start these lists when diagnosed with incurable illnesses, and in those cases the goals often seem to have a deeper, much more personal flavour. Former PR executive Simon Mitchell, who has a cancer of the blood, has been pursuing a list that involves helping other people, using his professional contacts to set up meetings between seriously ill children and the stars they admire.

But the trend goes much wider. Bill Clinton, Jane Fonda and Cameron Diaz have spoken of having a list. A man who had camped overnight for an iPhone 5 said that specific experience was included on his. And it was also reported that Megan Stammers, the 15-year-old girl thought to be in France with her maths teacher, had posted her own extensive list online. The last entry, fall in love, had been crossed off.

There are no end of websites for those wanting to compile and share their ambitions, with a whole industry having formed around the notion of cramming in eye-popping, hedonic experiences before you die: sky-diving, mountain climbing, throwing tomatoes at the Tomatina festival in Spain and meeting pop stars. On bucketlist.org someone proclaims their ambition to hold a baby white tiger; on bucketlist.net there are plans to fly in a hot-air balloon. A series of books lists the 1,001 films you should see, the 1,001 albums you should listen to, all the paintings and natural wonders you must catch, in order to be fulfilled before death. And while this approach can sound quite the opposite of fulfilment, an endless striving for satisfaction, that hasn't stopped people's wild enthusiasm.

Are bucket lists really a good idea? It can be useful to have defined goals, of course, but the lists seem to encourage a strange blend of highly individualised behaviour and conformity – a situation in which everyone is hurtling, alone, towards similar goals.

Psychotherapist Philippa Perry suggests that they might actually have been started "as a brilliant PR stunt by somebody who was selling swimming with dolphins." There's a consumerist, acquisitive vibe to many of the lists, with the experience they replicate being the writing of a shopping list, says Perry. Instead of building on what you already have, "to make a good life," she continues, "it's really an attempt to fill an existential void."

There's also an innate air of competition to bucket lists, of striving to better yourself – but also others. In some ways it's no surprise that they have risen in popularity in an age when we are all encouraged to brand ourselves, to treat our Facebook pages as a shop window for our achievement-rich lives. Psychologist Linda Blair, who is writing a book called The Key to Calm, to help people deal with stress and anxiety, says chasing big experiences is worthwhile if you enjoy the whole process. "Saving up the money, planning it with friends, and then the moment as well. I'm all for that," she says. "But if you're constantly living in the future, ignoring what's going on right now because you're shooting for goals, which happen so quickly that they're over, and then you have to chase another one, you're not really living."

Could they be a useful way of dealing with the inevitability of death? Blair doesn't think so. "It's a way of denying the idea of death, not coping with it at all ... People usually do this to ensure that there are things to look forward to, which means there are things that are still going to happen … My experience warns me that it's probably done in order to prevent thinking about death." Perry sees it as a way of dealing "with how to pass the time. I think it's a way of trying to generate some excitement.

"What we should be doing in our bucket lists," Perry says, "is learning how to be open with our own vulnerabilities so that we can form connections with other human beings … I think, for me, what's wrong with the bucket list is that it's individualistic – the idea of the isolated self goes very deep in Western society – and I think it's a red herring ... It's a distraction from the business of being human. We don't all like swimming with dolphins but we are all made to connect to each other. That's the really fun thing to do before you die."

Do you think bucket lists are a good idea, and if so what would be on yours?

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 115: What’s your Body Shape?

Are you a nacho, a tomato or a string bean? Convention has it that women worry most about their bodies. Men, however, are just as concerned, suffering the same lack of confidence about their shape – be it a tomato, brick, snowman or nacho. New research reveals the 7 different shapes of modern man.

THE SEVEN SHAPES OF MAN

PEAR

A little bit larger around the middle

CUCUMBER 

Straight up and down with no extra weight

TOMATO 

Slightly chubby all over

BRICK 

Broad all over

NACHO 

Broad shoulders and slim waistline

STRING BEAN 

Very skinny and lean

SNOWMAN 

Rounded around the stomach and chest creating a figure of eight like shape

Olympic swimmer Tom Daley's (below) toned torso shows off the triangular 'nacho', with his broad shoulders and slim waist. Although the look is popular with women, only 5 per cent of men thought they lived up to this muscular ideal.

The biggest group – 49 per cent – admitted being a 'pear' like comedian Michael McIntyre (below), carrying a little extra round their middle.

The most coveted shape was a 'cucumber', the lean figure sported by former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff (below). Although 46 per cent wanted this, only 15 per cent managed it.

The 'brick' or generally broad all over figure similar to pop star Robbie Williams (below) applied to 9 per cent of the 1,500 men quizzed by menswear retailer Jacamo.

On the chubby side were the one in ten who confessed to being a 'tomato' like television presenter Eamonn Holmes (below).

Professor Brendan Gough, a body image expert at Leeds Metropolitan University, said that media portrayals of men are making the average man feel insecure about his looks.

Fewer than 5 per cent were at the extremes of the 'snowman' – with the rounded chest and belly of  Robbie Coltrane (below left) – or the skinny physique of a 'string bean' like cycling champion Bradley Wiggins (below right).

Few of the men surveyed were happy with their shape, with almost half admitting they needed to lose weight. In fact, almost three-quarters hated their body, proving that it is not just women who feel self-conscious about their looks.

Professor Brendan Gough, a psychologist at Leeds Metropolitan University, said modern men care much more about their appearance than previous generations.

“We live in a world where appearance is very important for guys – in work, relationships and well-being,” he added. “Few live up to the models on magazine covers, but more are moisturising, tanning and even wearing make-up. When men look good, they feel good.”

The survey found that men felt at their physical best aged 28. But, as they aged, they lost confidence and some even suffered depression about the way they looked. Many felt pressure from magazines to look good but most admitted poor diets and lack of exercise stopped them having a better body.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 114: Memory Lane

I’ve managed to reconnect with many of my ‘old’ friends through Facebook.  Social media has become a powerful force in our lives; my daily visits have become a subconscious habit, as I surf the net – observing…

One might argue that Facebook is an “invasion of privacy,” but when used sensibly to connect with friends and family, this cost-effective tool certainly wins my vote.

I decided to pinch a few minutes from my chaotic schedule, eager to soothe my mind from the longwinded monotony of the morning’s meetings. 

Surfing through the ‘posts’, a dated image of Johannesburg caught my attention.  The photograph, titled “Fontana Centre,” transported me back to my beautiful Johannesburg where I spent the first part of my university years.

In fact, one of my father’s first jobs in South Africa was working behind the counter at Fontana.  My father would often recount his wild escapades with his friends after his evening shift was over. 

Most South Africans who lived in Hillbrow (an inner-city residential neighbourhood of Johannesburg) will remember Fontana for their late-night shopping and their mouthwatering rotisserie chickens.

In the late nineties, the “City of Gold” had evolved into the ultimate shopping and nightclubbing mecca; quality department stores lined the clean and safe streets, bustling with cafes, restaurants and discotheques.  We would often drive through those boulevards with our friends – the techno sounds of yesteryear blaring boldly from the speakers of our jalopies; windows rolled down to flaunt the macho look of the decade.

I was delighted to reconcile with one of my closest friends earlier, having noticed the announcement of the birth of her second child on Facebook.   It was the first time since my departure from South Africa (more than a decade ago), that we had managed to chat on the phone.  It took her a while to recognise my voice, but as soon as the formalities were over, it was an invigorating experience to travel down memory lane with her and recall those fond moments from our wonder years. 

Amidst my hectic programme, I was able to recharge my batteries and face the challenges of the day.

Networking with people from different circles is an important part of our lives, and the social networking sites available today, make this interaction even easier. Almost everyone uses these sites to obtain various positive outcomes, like staying connected with peers, trips down memory lane, and even online marketing. Whichever way you look at it, social media has certainly transformed the way.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 113: The Best Medicine

“If you don't laugh at life, life will laugh at you.” – Paul Lambis

 

Humour is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humour and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

  

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humour lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

Laughter is good for your health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system.

Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart.

Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 112: Paul vs the Volcano

Last week was probably one of the most mindboggling weeks of my life; a mountain of challenges and a stadium of hurdles.  Every problem was met with an obstructed path as I searched frantically for the solutions. 

As the plethora of problems began to mount, I found myself shivering from exhaustion knowing that my volcano was on the verge of eruption.

The weekend had finally made its way as I opted for a well-deserved, hassle-free session on the couch.  Banishing my wife and son from the confines of our home, I decided to meditate on my pending issues, hoping that the temporary silence would generate its own solutions.  Thankfully, this form of therapy proved constructive as I quickly emerged from my coma of self-pity, and put an end to all things trivial.

In an instant, a sudden burst of energy resurfaced as I greeted (although slightly delayed) the first part of my weekend.  Surrounding myself with all things positive, I found myself abstaining from the nasty temptations of comfort food; the summer heat initiated rivers of water into my body with generous doses of healthy salads and grilled proteins. 

Although I had originally planned to boycott the Eurovision final, I found myself waiting patiently for Koza Mostra to perform their “Alcohol is free” number.  Prior to that, I sent the band a message on Facebook wishing them everything of the best.  Surprisingly enough, I received a personal response to my email, and a five minute conversation ensued as I willingly shared my newly-acquired wealth of positive energy. I’m hoping my wishes played a small part in their success.

A wise friend advised me on Friday afternoon to take deep breaths whenever a problem surfaced.  As I took three steps back, I miraculously observed how irrelevant my problems had become, and despite my fear of parading on the beach this summer flaunting my obscurities, I feel more determined to lose weight and finally make it on the cover of a popular magazine. 

My volcano erupted, and after an emotional flow of tears, I rose to the challenge of building myself up again. 

After all, after the ashes, one will rise.  

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 111: The Holy Mountain

 It is one of those things which always seems to irk people, when you tell them not to do something, they immediately have an uncontrollable urge to do it. When asked to write about one of the holiest sites in the Christian world, my first instinct was to go to Mount Athos on the Greek peninsula of Chalkidiki and find out for myself why the twenty monasteries which make up the Ayion Oros have stood for all this time as testament to man’s overwhelming faith and dedication  to God.

As a woman however, it is a physical impossibility for me to even consider going near the holy site as I am barred from entering. It really is as simple as that. Only men can visit and even then they have to fulfil all sorts of criteria. Firstly, any man wanting to set foot on the holy Mount Athos has to apply for a special entrance permit, a certain kind of ‘religious visa’ and secondly, it is preferred that these visiting men are members of the Christian Orthodox Religion. Apparently even Catholics, as the closest church to the Orthodox faith are not really welcomed as the monks living at Ayion Oros are not too enamoured with the Catholic Church.

Likes and preferences aside, the holy site of Ayion Oros goes back right to the time of Mary, the Mother of God, when the Blessed Virgin was sailing to Cyprus to visit Lazarus and her ship was blown off course to the then pagan Mount Athos  and was forced to anchor near the port of Klement. It is said that the Virgin walked ashore and was truly taken aback by the wonderful and wild natural beauty of this imposing mountain and so asked her Son, Jesus Christ if she could have it as her own garden. A voice was then heard to proclaim, “Let this place be your inheritance and your garden, a paradise and a haven of salvation for those seeking to be saved.” It was at that supremely significant moment then, that the mountain was consecrated as the garden of Mary, the Mother of God and was placed out of bounds for all other women.

Historically, while the mountain has been a devout Christian Orthodox site since Mary’s visit, Mount Athos goes all the way back to the time of the Greek Gods and mythologically, it got its name from the Thracian giant Athos, who was involved in the battle between the Giants and the Gods. One version of the story tells us that during this conflict, Athos threw a huge rock against Poseidon (the god of the sea), but the rock slipped through his fingers and fell into the sea, creating the land which became known as Mount Athos; the other version claims that it was actually Poseidon who threw the rock against Athos, which crushed him, resulting in him being buried beneath, thus creating the name Mount Athos.

Whichever way one may choose to look at the creation of the holy mountain, the fact remains that as a place, it has been the centre of worship, dedication and devotion of Orthodox monks since around the fifth century AD and has been, and still is, the only place in Greece which is completely dedicated to prayer and the worship of God.

The twenty monasteries which make up Ayion Oros, the Holy Mount, together form a self-governed state of the Greek Republic, falling under the direct spiritual leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. It was officially established in 963AD when a monk called Athanasios the Athonite built the Great Monastery of Great Lavra, but has been seen as a spiritual destination by monks and those seeking an ascetic lifestyle since it was first settled by monks and hermits in the fifth century.

Ayion Oros is today officially divided into twenty self-governed territories, based on twenty individual monasteries, each with their own cardinal head and separate establishments (cloisters, cells, cottages, etc.).The lifestyle of the monasteries follows that of a commune existence which means that there is common liturgy, prayer, housing, eating and work amongst all the monks. The cardinal heads, called the Superior are elected by the monks of the specific monastery and once voted in, hold the position for life.

Even the time on Ayion Oros runs strictly according to the Julian Calendar and not the present-day Gregorian Calendar which was adopted by most of Western Europe in the sixteenth century. In a practical application this means that the monasteries are literally ten days behind the rest of the world.

In the past, the number of monks on the holy mountain were said to be dwindling, but the last few years have seen a resurgence of devout men taking their vows and choosing to spend their lives in the service of God.

What is even more interesting about these monks is that this new generation is in fact educated – most to a university level and so find themselves tasked with the rather large project of cataloguing all the huge deposits of goods of value found at Ayion Oros. In fact, until recently, no recognised study and archiving had been carried out at all on all the extremely valuable medieval art treasures – icons, liturgical vestments, crosses, chalices, chalices, ancient Christian texts – but with the help of an EU-funded project to catalogue, restore and protect all these religious legacies, these monks are now involved in this monumental task.

As the twenty monasteries are in Greece, one would also assume that all the monks would in fact be Greek. It could therefore come as a surprise to know that there are Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian monks also present at Ayion Oros and in fact, there are specific monasteries dedicated to these monks.

Whether you look at the holiest of mountains as a result of a majestic battle between a mythological giant and a god, or a place where men dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and worship to the ultimate Divine Being, there is no doubt that setting foot on Ayion Oros is sure to take you to another spiritual level completely.

Of course, this only applies if you’re a man.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 110: What lies Beneath

For as long as man has been able to recount stories and events, he has had an almost obsessive tendency to believe in things he cannot see or really explain. Along with that there is also the belief in forces or beings bigger, better and stronger than himself.

One only needs to glance back in history at the ancient civilisations and their pantheon of gods, ranging from Egypt’s Ra to Ishtar in Mesopotamia and the Roman emulation of Greece’s deities to realise that the glorification of a higher being and an ideal society has always been a very human concern. Christianity and Islam of course have eliminated all need for a range of supreme beings as both religions have changed man’s belief system.

One of the most enduring myths though and which has placed Cyprus firmly in its spotlight is the suggestion of the lost city and empire, of Atlantis. There are two very distinct approaches to the Atlantis debate, one of which states that it is a myth and never actually existed, while the other believes that it was part of a much older world, going even further back than the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, with one theory proposing that Cyprus itself is the geographical remnant of Atlantis.

The man behind the theory that Cyprus is what remains of Atlantis is American Robert Sarmast and while many have disagreed and attempted to disprove his idea, his book, called “Discovery of Atlantis, The Startling Case for the Island of Cyprus” certainly does pose many interesting points that could mean that the island, which we already know has a written history dating back about nine thousand years could be the answer to an age-old theory.

To understand just how far back the whole issue of Atlantis goes, one should realise that the most famous Greek philosopher Plato (second only perhaps to his teacher Socrates), provided the sole literary source of Atlantis and it could be suggested that contrary to a strongly held belief, popular among new age thinkers that Atlantis is some far-flung Utopia, the story is an ancient one, having been committed in writing by the great Plato in two parts - Timaeus and Critias - of an unfinished trilogy. In the dialogue style which is characteristic of the ancient Greek philosophers, Plato wrote “Then listen, Socrates, to a tale which, though strange, is certainly true,” and so began to relate the tale of Atlantis which has been perplexing mankind ever since.

According to Plato, the ancient gods had divided the earth between them, giving the island of Atlantis to Poseidon, the god of the sea; he was adamant also that it was understood that these gods were not the same fickle and somewhat debauched gods usually associated with the Acropolis. Instead the gods in Plato’s writings were wise and virtuous and did not at any time fight or disagree amongst each other, neither did they ever covet or try and take what did not belong to them. He writes, “They retained a certain greatness of mind and treated one another with wisdom and forbearance. They bore the burden of their wealth and possessions lightly and did not let their high standard of living intoxicate them or make them lose their self control.”

Plato goes on to say that the gods descended from their holy place and began to take a direct involvement in the lives of the humans who were already living in the region, taking care of the primitive people in a caring and nurturing way. Inevitably, the gods started to mix with the people, which led to the creation of a native race of Atlanteans and even though the first few generations inherited and upheld the inherent good qualities of their superior ancestors and the strength of the empire was determined by their innate wisdom and superior bodies and minds, the inhabitants of this lost world lost their genetic superiority through the frequent interbreeding with the native mortals.

They then apparently sank to the primitive nature of their human side and degenerated into aggressive, ambitious and hateful people who fought amongst each other for physical, earthly rewards and possessions. As their resident god, Zeus decided that punishment was needed and Atlantis was destroyed by an earthquake and devastating flood. “And the god of gods, Zeus, who reigns by law and whose eye can see such things, when he perceived the wretched state of this admirable stock decided to punish them and reduce them to order by discipline.”

In this way, Atlantis and all its evidence of agriculture, architecture, industry, the arts and religion was lost to the world forever. If you are of the belief that Plato’s story is an act of fiction then you would think that this is exactly where the story ends.

If however, you think that there is more to this than the writings of an ancient Greek philosopher and that sometimes truth is indeed stranger than fiction, then you should be interested to know that theories have abounded for many years that Atlantis was a real place, with suggestions for its location involving The Azores, the Americas, including parts of the Caribbean and Bolivia, and even Antarctica.

Perhaps the most plausible though and the one based on fifty matching criteria, is the one brought forward by Robert Sarmast who tells us that Cyprus can be the only plausible location for the remains of what was once an ancient epic land and civilisation. Sarmast poses the theory that geographically and geologically, Cyprus ticks all the boxes. Using computer simulation technology, the water of the Mediterranean was drained and river water flow was taken into account, all of which led to a modelled version of a vast land area, of which Cyprus’ Troodos Mountains are literally right at the top, as the ‘towering peaks’ described by Plato. Sarmast explains that “our modelling of Atlantis Island corresponds not only to clues extracted from Plato, but to well-known illustrations of Atlantis. A simple visual comparison between the best-known drawings of Atlantis from Plato’s description and our sonar-based recreation of antediluvian (pre-flood) Cyprus offers an eerie similarity.”

Naturally Sarmast offers more clues and evidence that Cyprus could be the tip of the lost huge island of Atlantis and its proof of a vast and advanced civilisation and if read with an open mind, perhaps his book and further writings could persuade even the greatest cynic. Next time you are enjoying a majestic view of the Mediterranean, let your mind wander to what and who could be buried deep beneath its constantly shifting seafloor.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 109: Vote for Greece

My wife celebrated her birthday last night; an evening of ordered festivities defined by a traditional slice of my mother’s mouth-watering chocolate cake.  As the family gathered around the table to witness the joyful moment of candle-blowing, my son’s mischievous antics resurfaced as he experimented with a box of matches and one of the birthday cards; a jubilant occasion soon transformed into a scolding session between father and son.

Upon returning home, an infamous group of insects buzzing around the porch light, reminded us that large doses of insect repellant would be listed on our weekend shopping list under the “priority” column; the summer heat in Cyprus has a habit of luring these unfriendly bugs into our home.  And as we made our way through this jungle of uncanny creatures, a frightful cockroach was waiting arrogantly in the centre of the kitchen floor. 

Needless to say, a loud duel ensued between human and pest; victory to the uninvited creature with its swift, dodging instincts which allowed it to mysteriously disappear.   Fuelled with an angry dose of revenge, I fumigated the kitchen, turned off the lights and went to bed.

For the first time in weeks, I found myself relaxing in bed watching the Eurovision Song Contest.  It was the second semi-final and Greece was hoping to secure their place in the upcoming final this Saturday.  Unfortunately, Cyprus was unable to secure a spot– regrettably, our song choice, although a beautiful ballade, did not appeal to the masses; hopefully there’s no political motive behind the boycott.

After a series of stereotypical love songs from most of the participating countries – performances which included a lesbian wedding, a young acrobat trapped in a glass cage (at times, I felt compelled to open the box myself and let the man out before suffocating on live television), a bearded man with enough blond hair to weave a carpet, and Malta’s doctor-turned-singer whose smile implied an overdose of ecstasy.

Greece kick started their performance with an unusual combination of urban Greek folk music (Rembetiko) and modern rock.  This young group of musicians, dressed in black kilts, bounced elatedly on stage chanting repeatedly “alcohol is free.”

Greece’s choice might have been slightly twisted, but breaking away from the tiresome floozy mould proves to me that the team behind this year’s entry has certainly done their homework. If a group of monster-masked hard rockers or a cheesy teenager singing about her toenails can win the Eurovision song contest, surely Greece stands a chance of bringing the song contest back to Athens, or at least making the top five? 

It seems that a crazy song combined with a silly performance has a greater chance of taking the title home.

Admittedly, I won’t be watching the final song contest this Saturday.  Sitting through four hours of mind-numbing tunes, puerile performances and a voting system (which seems to last longer than a flight to Australia), does not appeal to me.  I will, however, be supporting Greece – hopefully those who understand good music will vote for them too.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com

DAY 108: How to Break a Habit

Do you bite your nails? Chew on your hair? Suck your thumb? Pick your lips? With persistence and the right mindset, it's possible to break your bad habits. Here's how.

Step One

Admit that you have a problem. Acknowledging that you have a habit you'd like to break is vital. Consider the ways that the habit alters or affects your life, and accept that you'd like to change this. Ask yourself:

a) Why is this habit bad?

b) What's holding me back from getting rid of it?

c) What things or people stop me from breaking the habit?

Step Two

Change your environment. Research suggests that sometimes our environments can cue us to perform certain behaviours, even if we're actively trying to stop. Find a way to change your scenery and see if your bad habit becomes less tempting.

For instance, if you like to smoke out on your patio, remove the chair you sit in and replace it with a plant. If you tend to overeat at the same location at the dining room table, move to a different seat or rearrange your furniture such that you're facing a different direction than usual when you eat. Subtle changes to the environment can make a habit less rote and force your mind to reassess what's happening.

Limit your interactions with people who encourage your bad habit. If your habit takes place in an environment that you can't alter, like your place of work, then try changing the social configuration of your habit. For instance, if you smoke on breaks with a group of coworkers, start timing your break differently so that you're not tempted to join the fray and light up. Your social life might suffer, but your health will improve.

Step Three

Create barriers to the habit. If your reason for avoiding the habit is more pressing than your desire to engage in it, the behaviour will become continually easier to avoid. Here are a few suggestions:

a) Find someone you like who disapproves of your habit. Tell yourself you will not indulge in the act whenever you are around that person. Use the person as an anchor, and try to be around them whenever you feel like controlling the urge.

b) Capitalise on other habits. Use another behaviour or tendency to combat the habit. For instance, if you're lazy, be lazy about your habit. Think of it as too much effort. If you're a smoker, keep your pack locked up in your car down the street.

c) Pay up. Use the same rationale behind a swear jar: every time you slip back into the habit, put a euro (or more) in a can or jar. Set an amount that you'll hate to cough up whenever you give into the urge, and stick to it. When you've successfully kicked the habit, spend the money on a reward or donate it to a charitable cause.

Step Four

Find a placeholder. Try to replace your habit with something new and positive in your life. The key is not to focus on the "not doing," but to think instead about "doing."  For instance, if you're trying to stop smoking, eat a sucker or walk around the block when you would usually light up. Filling the void left by your old habit with another activity will help you avoid backsliding.

Step Five

Be patient. Behavioural conditioning is a long process, and breaking a habit takes time - as much as you'd like to, you probably won't stop doing it overnight. Set realistic goals and plan to have the behaviour wiped out in 21 days. If you get to the end of a month and find you need more time, take another 21 days. As long as you're still improving, don't pay too much attention to how long the process is taking. You'll get there eventually.

Tips

a)    Believe in yourself. Telling yourself you can't do something is a bad cognitive habit that needs breaking!

b)    Fight the sudden urge of your habit. It may be hard at first but you will see fit to it in the future.

c)    Take on one habit at a time, two at most. Any more than that and you'll feel overwhelmed.

d)    Remember to reward and congratulate yourself when you do well.

e)    Make a realistic plan to avoid your bad habits.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. 
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com